Walking block



. April 1943. .1. s. BANISTER 2,317,020

WALKING BLOCK Filed March 15, 1941 I, W"' 7 ////fi J I l/I/ Patented Apr. 20, 1943 UNITED STTES PATENT OFFICE WALKING BLOCK .l'ames G. Banister, Chicago, 111. Application March 15, 1941, Serial No. 383,633

2 Claims.

This invention relates to walking blocks of a type particularly designed to be used by children in play, and it is an object of the invention to provide a walking block having a bottom surface formed to allow free tilting movement forward and backward and also from side to side and wherein said bottom surface is so constructed as to create vibration when in use to enhance the pleasure to the child.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind having a contacting surface formed to allow a rocking action of the walking block and wherein such surface is of a clatter type afforded by providing such bottom surface with spaced outstanding ridges.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved walking block whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of a walking block constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position.

Figure 2 is a detailed transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in rear elevation of the walking block as herein set forth.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating another embodiment of my invention.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating another form of the invention.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, the improved walking block comprises a solid body B of wood or other desired material. The body B is of predetermined dimensions and is formed to provide a flat top surface I upon which is adapted to be placed the foot F of the user, said foot being diagrammatically illustrated in the drawing.

The lower or bottom surfaceof this body B is disposed on a predetermined curvature in a direction lengthwise of the top surface I and also disposed transversely at all points therealong on a predetermined curvature. This particular formation of the bottom surface of the body B provides a contacting face which will readily allow forward and rearward rocking of the body as well as a transverse rocking so that the user may readily effect a delicate balance.

The walking block may be held to the foot F in any manner desired and such attachment, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, is effected by a conventional use of holding straps 2 which engage over the toe portion and the instep portion of the foot F.

The bottom face or surface of the body B is provided from one end to the other with the transversely disposed ridges 3 having their outer or contacting surfaces a rounded. These ridges extend from one end of the block B to the other and successive ridges are immediately adjacent to each other.

By the provision of these ridges 3 a clatter effect is provided when the walking block is in use and at the same time a sufficient vibration is set up which is transmitted to the person resulting in a pleasing feeling to the user.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figure 4, the body A has its under surface provided with transversely disposed outstanding ridges 5, V-shaped in cross section with the contacting points or apices b defining a curvature lengthwise of the body a as is in the case of the outer or contacting surfaces of the ridges 3 in the first embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figure 5 the under surface of the block 0 at its longitudinal center is provided with a transversely disposed rib 6 of which the outer or contacting face at is relatively broad and disposed on a desired curvature in a direction lengthwise of the block C and, of course, transversely of the said block. At opposite sides of this rib 6 the block C is provided with the transversely disposed ridges I. These ridges l are of a ratchet or saw-tooth type with the ridges 1 at each side of the rib 6 having its apex e disposed on a desired angle toward an end of the block C. The apices or points e of the ridges 1 also define a curvature lengthwise of the block C and, of course, also transversely of the block.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the rear face of the body B has suitably secured thereto an upstanding heel or stop lug 4. A similar arrangement is also to be carried by the rear end of the blocks A and C.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a walking block constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

I claim: 7

1. A walking block comprising a body having a flat top surface on which the foot of a person is to be positioned, means carried by the front portion and by the rear portion of the body for disposal over the toe portion and instep portion of the foot for securing the body to said foot, and outstanding ridges carried by the bottom surface of the body from end to end and disposed transversely of the body, the outer contacting portions of said ridges defining a curvature lengthwise of the body and a curvature transversely of the body to allow forward, backward and lateral rocking of the walking block, said ridges also providing means to vibrate the walking block when in use, each of said ridges being substantially V-shaped in form in cross section.

2. A walking block comprising a body having a flat top surface on which the foot of a personis to be positioned, means carried by the front portion and by the rear portion of the body for disposal over.the toe portion and instep portion of the foot for securing the body to said foot, and outstanding ridges carried by the bottom surface of the body from end to end and disposed transversely of the body, the outer contacting portions of said ridges defining a curvature lengthwise of the body and a curvature transversely of the body to allow forward, backward and lateral rocking of the walking block when in use, each of said ridges being substantially \l-shaped in form in cross section, with the apex portion rounded.

JAMES G. BANISTER. 

